Green Shores | Programs
Green Shores Shoreline Development Program
The Green Shores for Shoreline Development (GSSD) Credits and Ratings Guide has been developed as a tool for waterfront property owners and managers to develop their properties in a shore-friendly way that meets the Green Shores program guiding principles:
- Preserve or restore physical processes—the natural actions of water and sediment movement that maintain healthy shorelines.
- Maintain or enhance habitat function and diversity along the shoreline.
- Prevent or reduce pollutants entering the aquatic environment.
- Avoid or reduce cumulative impacts—small individual effects that add up to large impacts on shoreline environments.
Green Shores addresses both marine and lake environments. It is led by the Stewardship Centre for British Columbia.
After meeting certain prerequisites, a shoreline project can be assessed using a series of credits to achieve points. All of the prerequisites, credits, and maximum points available are provided in the GSSD Credits and Ratings Guide.
Projects Addressed by Green Shores for Shoreline Development
Green Shores for Shoreline Development applies to subdivisions and multi-family residential development projects, commercial waterfront development projects, waterfront infrastructure development (such as public walkways), parks and recreational areas, and shore design, including shore protection works in public spaces.
Completing the rating process will clearly demonstrate the achievement of your environmental goals and leadership in shoreline stewardship. Steps in the process are outlined below.
Using the Green Shores for Shoreline Development Credits and Ratings Guide
All shoreline project proponents can use GSSD as a guide for shoreline best practices to complete their project in a shore-friendly way, including:
- Property owners, developers, and real estate industry – Organizations with a vested financial interest in shore property, associated buildings and their operation.
- Professionals and professional associations – Professionals and firms offering services such as building and landscape architecture, coastal, shoreline, water resources and geotechnical engineering, surveying, and biological assessment.
- Construction contractors – Firms and industry associations involved in constructing shore structures such as docks and piers, shore protection, and dredging.
- Non-profit organizations – Organizations with a special interest in shoreline environments and management issues.
- Planners, regulators, and elected officials – Federal, provincial, and local governments involved in planning, policy, and management of marine coastal and lakeshore areas.
Project proponents can enroll their project in the Green Shores program with the Stewardship Centre and use the provided guide and associated resources to achieve a Green Shores rating. Completing the rating process will clearly demonstrate the achievement of your environmental goals and leadership in shoreline stewardship. Steps in the process are outlined below.
The applicants can enroll online or contact SCBC via email.
Enrolling early in the project design and development process is recommended to maximize the benefits of using the Credit and Ratings Guide.
Enrollment of a project will provide you access to essential information and tools, such as the GSSD template that outlines the requirements for the final project submittals.
Once the project is enrolled in the GSSD program, the project team will typically proceed with the design and construction of the project.
Early on, the team should be familiar with the requirements of each prerequisite and credit.
Ensure that all the documentation required for submittal (as directed by the GSSD template) is collected so you receive the ratings you deserve in a timely manner.
When the project is completed, and all the necessary documentation has been compiled, the project can be submitted for review to the SCBC.
The SCBC will assign a GSSD verifier team to assess the project by reviewing the documentation and visiting the site.
Upon completion of the review, qualifying projects will receive a Green Shores Rating and Award.
A Green Shores for Shoreline Development rating is achieved by meeting all prerequisites and an additional number of credit points. A shoreline project may achieve one of three rating levels: Bronze, Silver, or Gold.
 |  |  |
GSSD Certified Sites
A profile of all project sites certified with Green Shores for Shoreline Development is shown in dark green on the map below. Visit our Green Shores Case Studies page.
Contact us for more information about Green Shores for Shoreline Development rating process.